Michel Platini: I asked Blatter to step down but he refused

Michel Platini, the president of European football’s governing body, urged Blatter to stand down when the pair met on Thursday amid fresh FIFA corruption allegations emerging from separate inquiries by the US Department of Justice and the Swiss government.

Blatter refused to quit and still intends to stand against Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein in Friday’s presidential vote.

Platini said UEFA would unite behind Prince Ali and admitted that, if the 79-year-old Blatter was to win a fifth term in office, UEFA would have some tough decisions to make when its members meet again in Berlin next week before the Champions League final.

Asked if a boycott of FIFA competitions was a possibility, Platini said: “UEFA associations will meet in Berlin next week. We will be open to all options.”

Pressed further on the prospect of a World Cup boycott, Platini added: “There may be proposals. I honestly don’t wish that.”

Platini confirmed he had personally pleaded with Blatter to quit following the latest scandal to hit FIFA.

He said: “I have had enough – enough is enough, too much is too much. I am the first to be disgusted.

“I told Mr Blatter ‘we started together and now I am asking you to step down as we cannot continue this way’.